Since the economic recovery began in 2010, the private sector has added 16 million jobs. At the same time, however, the number of public sector jobs has remained static. As a result, government employment as a share of total employment has declined from 17.3% to 15.2%, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. […](Photo11: zrfphoto / iStock)

Democratic incumbent Rep. Raul Ruiz will appear on the June 5 ballot against Republican challengers Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer, Dan Ball, Doug Hassett, Stephen Wolkowicz and Robert Bentley in the race to represent California's 36th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here are the written responses to a series of questions posed by The Desert Sun from Ruiz, Brown-Pelzer, Ball and Hassett. Wolkowicz and Bentley chose not to submit questionnaires. Here are the written responses to a series of questions posed by The Desert Sun from Ruiz, Brown-Pelzer, Ball and Hassett. Wolkowicz and Bentley chose not to submit questionnaires.

Why are you running?

Raul Ruiz: I first ran for Congress for the same reason I came back home after medical school – to serve my community. As the son of farmworkers, I am no stranger to the economic struggles many people face today. But Washington is broken and full of career politicians driven by partisan politics and their own privileges. I am not a career politician, and never will be. I am running to stand up for seniors by working to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. I am running to serve the veterans who have served our country by making sure they get the benefits and services they earned. And I am running to continue my work protecting taxpayers by opposing perks for politicians. I understand the issues and concerns of this community, and I am committed to serve.

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U.S. Congressman, Dr. Raul Ruiz and his family at the Living Desert's annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 15, 2017 in Palm Desert. (Photo11: Richard Lui/The Desert Sun)

Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer: For the first time in the history of our great country, we are not leaving behind something better for our youth. Though I’d be walking away from a very lucrative business and career, it’s a move I’m willing to make, to make a difference. I’m not looking to be a career politician. I would get out if I’d ever find myself in a position where I was no longer effective. Unfortunately, Raul Ruiz has proven to be completely ineffective. In nearly 6 years of being in Congress he hasn’t been able to pass a single piece of legislation. I’m someone who sees things through and gets results. I’ve built successful small businesses from the ground up that now employ over 100 Californians. I know how to get things done.

Dan Ball: I’m running for Congress because I want to restore voter’s faith in our elected leaders. I’m raising my daughter in the Valley and I want a brighter future for her. My campaign is about setting an example of what public service should be all about, service before self. I’ve made four pledges that I intend to apply once elected. I believe in term limits, 12 years should be the longest any member of Congress can serve. I will take no pension, ever. I will use the VA healthcare system, instead of the “Cadillac” plan members of Congress use, that way I can report first hand the problems with the system and find solutions. Finally, I will donate 10% of my salary to local veteran organizations. I’ve served this community since 1996 by reporting the news and now I want to continue that service in Washington.

Former KMIR anchor Dan Ball is considering a run for Congress in 2018 as a Republican.(Photo11: Courtesy of Dan Ball)

Doug Hassett: For me, it starts with our constitution and the words, “We the People.” We’ve been given tremendous responsibility to be good stewards of the freedom America provides, and the privilege to lift our voices to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves.” So that we forever remain strong to be free, ensuring liberty for all generations. America defines my passion for serving and my platform.
I support:

Doug Hassett, a Republican candidate running for California's 36th congressional seat, said unseating Rep. Raul Ruiz would be difficult, but voters needed to be presented with options.(Photo11: Courtesy of Doug Hassett)

Congressional leadership in both parties has come under fire recently. What do you think of your party’s leadership in Congress?

Raul Ruiz: Congress is broken and leadership in both parties shares the blame. Too many elected officials are more interested in their re-election campaigns and special privileges than serving their constituents. That is why I am proud to have spent my time in Congress standing up for the people of this district. In fact, I was just recently given an award by the Bipartisan Policy Center for my work serving veterans and wildfire recovery. Members of Congress are elected to serve the people, not get rich on the taxpayers’ dime. Just last year, I introduced legislation making it illegal for any federal official to use their position for personal profit. I am proud of my bipartisan record and will continue to stand up to special interest groups and even my own party leadership to do what is right for our community.

Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer: It’s pretty clear that Washington has become more dysfunctional every day and too many members of Congress are ineffective. Raul Ruiz is no exception. I have a track record of successes, I follow through on my promises, and I’ll get results if I’m elected to serve this community in Congress. I’ll gladly work with members of both parties and the President to get results for the 36th district. If not – I’ll step aside – you won’t have to vote me out like Congressman Ruiz.

Dan Ball: I’m not running for my party, I’m running to represent the people of the 36th District, all of the people, not just supporters. Congress has the lowest approval rating in history and it’s easy to see why, both sides have been ineffective for years. Americans want a safe and secure country, lower taxes, good quality schools for their children, a clean environment, safe roads and bridges, affordable healthcare, good paying jobs, a strong military and the list goes on and on. However, thanks to partisan politics, catering to special interest groups and serving themselves and their parties, nothing gets done in Washington. I believe some in the GOP are working for a brighter future, but aren’t able to achieve their goals because the system is corrupt. We need leaders in Washington who will stop worrying about getting reelected and start working for us!

Doug Hassett: My philosophy of leadership focuses on several points – Having creative vision, inspiring others to share in the vision, and team building to achieve the defined goals. My concern for the leadership in Washington is that it’s lacking in inspiration, unable to team build and achieve positive results. However, not being involved directly, it’s difficult to point fingers. Because of this, my focus is on taking my solution oriented leadership to Washington and influence outcomes that best serve the 36th District and our Nation. My leadership skills have been honed by many years of public service and business ownership. My experiences have taught me three important things, treat others with respect, do what you say you’re going to do, and be tough-minded when it counts. I live by the philosophy and embrace the idea, “if better is possible then good is not enough.” That’s leadership.

Everybody knows that Congress is a place where conflict often arises. How would you work with members both in your own party and across the aisle?

Raul Ruiz: Since my first day in Congress, I have sought to build coalitions with members of both parties in the interest of achieving what is best for my constituents and the American people. Our political system is too toxic and divided, so I am proud of my work crafting bipartisan solutions to our nation’s problems. In 2017, I worked across the aisle with Representative Phil Roe of Texas to introduce the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act, a commonsense piece of legislation that preserves our commitment to beneficiaries of Medicare. It passed the House and was signed into law by the President in February of this year. And just this Spring I received the Legislative Action Award from the Bipartisan Policy Center for my efforts in seeking bipartisan solutions in Congress. Regardless of party politics, I will do what is best for this district and continue to reach across the aisle.

Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer: The exact same way I work with people in business. You don’t grow a company from nothing to more than 100 employees by not being able to work with people. Let me be clear: it doesn’t matter whether someone is a Democrat, Republican or Independent, if you have a good idea that can move this district and our country forward, I want to work with you. That’s why I’ll be successful – I am 100% committed to delivering for this district.

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Dan Ball: As a journalist, I’m used to sitting down with someone, listening to them and then trying to help. I would approach every piece of legislation with this type of approach. Too often we only hear the loudest voice in the room, screaming their side of an issue, we need to listen more and have a civil debate and discussion about the issues, especially the very divisive issues. Whether it’s immigration or healthcare reform, finding a permanent solution for the Salton Sea or helping our homeless in the District, opinions are mixed here at home and especially in Washington. It seems there is always an agenda being pushed or lobbyists getting involved. I would go above and beyond to try and find common ground with other elected leaders. There is no virtue in absolutism and as we’ve seen for decades nothing gets accomplished when both sides aren’t willing to negotiate.

Doug Hassett: The wonderful part of our Democracy is that it was designed to be contentious. Our founders were brilliant in that. From the beginning, our framers designed a bicameral system, (two chambers) and in each chamber two parties charged with creating laws meant to benefit the good of the people. This is the part I am passionate about. I look forward to engaging my party and the opposing party with my vision for our country and the bills presented for consideration. It goes back to the leadership question and the points of inspiration and team building. Because the system was designed to present opposing points of view, each representative should not see themselves embattled, but optimistic for the opportunity to articulate measurable objectives. Objectives that consider bettering America, and the greater good of “we the people.”

Since 2016, Congress has attempted to pass immigration reform. What do you propose the government do and, if implemented, how would your recommendations affect the 36th District?

Raul Ruiz: Immigrants have made tremendous contributions to our economy and military here in Riverside County, and many of our industries, like agriculture, hospitality, and construction rely heavily on an immigrant workforce. That is why I am working with Democrats and Republicans on bipartisan immigration solutions that secure our borders, uphold the law, protect workers and businesses, and include an earned pathway to citizenship for those who work hard and play by the rules – including DREAMers. These commonsense, practical solutions will benefit the entire nation by increasing safety and security while humanely and fairly reforming a broken system. It’s time to put aside political games and fix our immigration system.

Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer: An unsecure border is a direct threat to public safety and our national security. I support securing our border with a physical wall, technology, and a properly staffed border patrol. This comprehensive approach is critical to slowing human trafficking and ending the flow of cheap narcotics that are wrecking the lives of too many young people in our communities. Immigration is the foundation of our country and our communities are better for it. But it must be done correctly and honor those who waited and went through the correct process.

This sanctuary city movement in California is out-of-control. It makes absolutely no sense to protect illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes. All communities are less safe – including the immigrant communities that they often victimize. I support immigration reform for those who are diligently working to improve their lives – but anyone who has committed additional crimes while in the USA must serve their sentence and then immediately be deported.

Dan Ball: As past and current leaders from both sides have pointed out, we are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. The problem is those laws are being broken every day and it must end. I do not believe in amnesty for anyone, far too many people have waited in line for years and paid their fees to become an American. With that said, the system is too complex. We need to simplify the system and start making it an easier process for immigrants. I believe if immigration were properly enforced, legal migrant workers in the District would benefit. I’ve spoken to local workers who say undocumented workers hurt their chances of finding work and receiving higher wages. Local workers will benefit from immigration reform.

Doug Hassett: Considering Immigration, point one is to secure the border and build a more impenetrable fencing system. Having spent considerable time communicating with the US Border Patrol and having a Physical Security career background, the best border barrier would be a system of parallel fencing. This would secure the border, deter crime and prevent most injury and death. Point two considers the illegal aliens already here, and my plan for a pathway to citizenship I call “Earned Citizenship”. Earned Citizenship offers illegal aliens an opportunity to become citizens in a given amount of time, they must not break any laws in that time frame and the process will include an immigration tax. Once the process concludes and citizenship is achieved, the tax sunsets. The tax is collected for the benefit of the immigrant and pays for associated fines for entering the US illegally and funds the citizenship process.

5. After passing the Affordable Care Act in 2009, Congress has routinely fought over the legislation. What do you think about Obamacare and what needs to be done moving forward?

Raul Ruiz: As an emergency physician, I understand how critically important it is for every American to have access to quality, affordable health care. While some improvements have been made, our system remains imperfect and too expensive. Premiums are skyrocketing and the marketplaces are destabilizing because of the uncertainty created by inaction and partisan politics in Congress. Last year, I introduced the Marketplace Certainty Act, which would permanently ensure cost-sharing subsidies for enrollees in the Affordable Care Act. This piece of commonsense legislation would create the certainty needed for states and their marketplaces to thrive and offer quality, affordable health care plans to the American people. I fought hard against this administration’s attempts to take health care away from millions of seniors and working families and I will continue to fight to reduce the high costs of prescription drugs. Congress must work together to improve coverage and make it affordable.

Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer: As a small business owner, I have seen the detrimental effects of Obamacare first-hand. Premiums have skyrocketed and patients have less choice. We all have friends and family members who have lost their coverage and access to their longtime doctors, despite promises that this would never happen. Many workers have had their hours cut and others driven into the underground economy. I will vote to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a more responsive system that can adapt to the needs of Americans and ensure that those with pre-existing conditions can obtain quality healthcare at a fair price.

Dan Ball: Costs for medical visits and pharmaceuticals have skyrocketed to the point where citizens are forced to choose between paying for food and utilities or their medicine. While I believe Congress needed to act, The Affordable Care Act was a disaster. People have not been able to keep their doctors, Co-Pays’ are now astronomical and in many cases families are worse off now than before. I believe we need to open the state borders up, so that competition between providers can spark lower costs. Also, I’d like to see a Congressional investigation into the major medical and pharmaceutical companies in this country. Let’s find out exactly who in Washington is benefiting from these companies charging these outrageous fees and prices. We need to work on making it affordable, especially for our seniors, veterans and lower income families. I believe a tier program may be worth exploring as well.

Doug Hassett: Based on the experience of my family the ACA was anything but affordable. My plan moving forward is to encourage a health insurance marketplace that crosses state lines offering choice, efficiency and lower cost. In Congress I would also put forth the idea of creating a health score system that is entirely individual and created between Doctor and Patient. The “Health Score” acts similarly to individual Credit Scores, offering a plan and path to better scores. Just as the credit score improves your chances of lessening your interest rate, so the Health Score influences the cost of insurance. This idea incentivizes individuals to better care for their health knowing there are rewards attached. The Health Score is by individual not national averages. The health score carries personal health information accessible by doctors worldwide in case of emergency. This program represents the best of competition and care.